The boat sank after being hit by waves, killing 13 people.
On the afternoon of February 26th, a tourist boat carrying 39 people from Cu Lao Cham island to the mainland sank due to rough seas off Cua Dai, resulting in 13 deaths and 4 missing persons.
Approximately 400 people and nearly 30 vehicles, including tourist canoes and boats.rescueBorder Guard units from Cua Dai, Military Region 5, coast guard vessels, and fishing boats from local fishermen organized a search operation over an area of three square kilometers. The outdoor temperature was around 20 degrees Celsius, and the sea was rough.
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| First aid is given to those in distress and brought ashore. Photo: Dai Thanh |
At 4:30 PM, Mr. Phan Viet Cuong, Secretary of the Quang Nam Provincial Party Committee, announced that 34 victims had been recovered, including 10 fatalities, 2 in critical condition, and 22 survivors. Three adults and two children remain missing. The victims were taken to Hoi An Hospital and Thai Binh Duong Hospital.
By 6:30 PM, the death toll had risen to 13, one person had been transferred to Da Nang for treatment, and four were still missing, according to Mr. Mai Van Muoi, Director of the Quang Nam Department of Health.
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| Rescue boats participated in the search for victims on the afternoon of February 26. Photo: Nguyen Dong |
The search for victims was temporarily suspended due to darkness. The Quang Nam provincial leader stated that they may coordinate with the military to deploy helicopters for the search, then salvage the boat and investigate the cause of the accident.
"This is a very heartbreaking incident, especially for the victim's family. We will seriously learn from this experience to ensure the safety of tourists, especially now that Quang Nam has been chosen to host the national tourism year," Mr. Cuong said.
On shore, a large crowd of locals continued to watch the ships arrive, hoping to find more victims. Ambulances were also on standby to transport victims to the hospital.
That same evening, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh instructed the Quang Nam Provincial Police to urgently investigate the cause of the speedboat sinking off the coast of Cua Dai. Leaders of the National Traffic Safety Committee were also present at the scene to coordinate with local authorities in addressing the consequences; to analyze the causes of recent traffic accidents, clarify the responsibilities of relevant agencies, and propose solutions.
The Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Nam province has been tasked with mobilizing all resources and personnel to search for and rescue people and vehicles involved in the accident; arranging the best possible medical conditions for treating the injured; and visiting the families of those who died.
The boat sinking occurred in a sea area affected by a strengthening cold front. For the past week, the northern South China Sea (including the waters around the Paracel Islands), and the sea area from Binh Dinh to Ca Mau, have experienced continuous strong winds of force 6-7. The sea is rough, with waves 2-3 meters high. One cargo ship and 12 fishing boats have been involved in the accident, and 12 people are missing.
Cu Lao Cham Island is located about 18 km from Cua Dai Port, Hoi An City, a 15-minute speedboat ride away. Comprising 8 islands of varying sizes and with a population of approximately 3,000, it consistently ranks among the most beautiful and attractive beaches in Central Vietnam, drawing a large number of domestic and international tourists for sightseeing and relaxation.
